Riders: Sue Shore, Denise Motley, Paul Stephenson, Kevin Thomas, Shaun O’Neil, Christina Cooper, Gareth Harle, John Musgrove, Paul Elwell, Matthew Lowe, Nick Kay, Martin Crapper.
This was the Scarborough Charity ride weekend but no Red ride had been announced so the anticipation had been for either a lot or a few to turn up. As it turned out we were a nice round dozen. The weather was in our favour, bright and sunny (ish) and there were few bare arms.
It seemed that the outward journey was planned as an “either or” kind of route. Depending on who came we could expect hills or not. Hills it was to be, although we were sorry that those not up to hills at the moment were missing. Matt had the route in his head as we left the CC and turned left but I am sure he said he would make up the return leg as we went along!
In and out of side roads, main roads and so on until we reached Apy Hill Lane. It wasn’t warm but comfortable enough and very clear. so there was lots to look at and talk about. At the end of Tickhill Back Lane (the other end of Apy Hill Lane) we turned left then right along Cockhill Lane, over the motorway, five lane end, Carr Lane - no, no no he’s gone the wrong way - that goes up Clifton Hill! So we suffered - or enjoyed it - I saw it all, but you do when you are last up! There wouldn’t be any more hills like that so better to get it over with!
Wending our way, mostly down hill, we reached Maltby, treating it as we did Tickhill by using roads no one anticipated (except Matt) and enjoying cliff Hill (down) and the almost empty main road and along Carr Lane (the Maltby one) and slowly up to Hooton Levitt and then Slade Hooton and Brookhouse. We were given a choice I admit it. But since everyone else was going up Bib One , I joined the queue - performing better than I did in Clifton. At the top we did the loop ending up at the foot of Bib Lane to find Matt sitting comfortably of a bench doing his coordinators job of making sure we were still alive and pedalling!
I think we were making better time than expected which would explain why we headed for Thurcroft (more back streets) then Brampton-en-le-Morthen and via back roads into Laughton-en-le-Morthen (does any one know what this Morthen is/was -can’t see a river) and hills all the way.
From there though it was downhill all the way to the café.
coffees and cakes were soon served outside and we (well not me) fed crumbs to cats, chickens, and Llamas and stroked horse and donkeys. There were also new born sheep (which looked and sounded like goats to me) to look at. The horse worried me i’m sure it was going to take a bite out of my saddle - so I moved it eventually.
Back in the saddle we took the little known side roads through the village - well who knew there was a footpath through all those nettles (other than Matt)? Along to Throapham and Dinnington where we got a bit spread out - well 4 of us got left, abandoned bit by bit until we could see the main group no more. and then we came to a cross road, was it straight up, left or right?
Trawling through our memories of conversations long ago we though Matt had mentioned Letwell so we eventually went left, After a few hundred yards a very helpful young man on a bike confirmed he had passed a group of cyclists (all this without saying a word) so we kept on and on.
The main group were waiting at the junction with Lamb Lane which was just as well because we would definitely have turned right! But we turned left as a single group then right up Penny Hill - not quite so bad but still Hill No3.
But stopping a short distance further along we were to be abandoned by our leader! Matt mad sure we knew how to get back, to be fair about half of us used this road regularly, and he left us to go home. So we soldiered on stopping at the Oldcoates/Maltby Road to say goodbye to Christina and turned right then left up Thornbury Hill Lane. Not really a hill this and Matt wasn’t there so it wouldn’t have counted anyway!
Keven indicated that he was going his own way in Tickhill and three of us didn’t turn into the cricket Club - a quite small group must have re-assembled there. I think we all had a good time, no mechanicals - Paul’s chain off doesn’t count.
Plenty of time to get home, shower, eat and get back to greet the Scarborough riders on there return.
Thanks everybody.
Todays riders were; Matt Lowe (ride leader); Mick Lee; Pete Hanks; Chris Higgins; Martin Crapper and Paul Bacon.
Once again there was no confusion about what was happening today despite Mick arriving on his ‘other’ bike and Stuart and Helen arriving just on time. Groupings were established and we let the others go and the seven of us turned left out of the car park. (Martin Graves joined us for the ride up Wilsic Lane having completed the 7am ride).
With only seven of us it was easy to ride to ride together up the lane, making way for riders coming down the lane and all too soon Martin left us. It made a change to hear the steady ‘thrum’ of Mick’s tyres as the six of us didn’t make much ‘chatter’ noise... There had been a practise run on Friday but today we stayed North of the A631 making our way through Braithwell and Micklebring, along Lidgett Lane to the Bramley traffic lights.
A brief spell on the A631 led us to Goose Lane, one of many new roads for Mick to travel along today (even though he was on his ‘other’ bike!) We did chat and move around the group and before we knew it we were going through Thurcroft and negotiating the numerous and many potholes on what is otherwise known as Steadfolds Lane. At the junction we paused, as we did on Friday and the same question was asked , “Shorter, harder or longer, easier?” The votes were split but we did the same as Friday... longer, easier (which was perhaps best for Mick on his ‘other’ bike). We reached the top of High Street and sailed merrily down to Leger Lakes. ( I don’t know what your Strava looks like guys but mine looks like a five year old has found a red pen and had some fun!)
The cafe was pretty much full (of cyclists from Sitwell) but we did the usual and pushed two tables together. The service was great and so was the food. We managed a group picture and also one of Mick with... (his ‘other’ bike).
The route home was via Dinnington; Gildingwells and Woodsetts. Owday Lane and Carlton in Lindrick. We were doing fine. The weather was good – no rain and the wind seemed to be either non-existent or kind to us. We left Carlton in Lindrick and had a comfort break at the top of Crossley Hill Lane. Now I never knew this but it would seem that the gradient is always easier for the first few riders and more difficult for the last few. The reason it seems is that the first few riders ‘pinch’ the easier gradient leaving only harder stuff for the others. As Matt and I were at the top first it would seem we had it easier and made it harder for the others!
The call to Hodsock was once again too much for Matt to resist and we left Blyth Road and now Mick’s ‘other’ bike was very happy. We decided later that it wasn’t cobbles but hardcore riding, literally and at the end of it... Chris had a flat which deflated rather quickly. A sub ten minute change and we were on our way again. All the way to Blyth and the newly surfaced, Bawtry Road. Pete left us at the lights (and Mick shortly after) and we rode on, well only a little way as we couldn’t see Chris... flat number two. This time it was slow and he was able to make his way back to Tickhill with only one top up.
Thanks Matt for a great ride. Thanks guys for the great company.
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